Conclusion
Here we have described our own experiences and made the case that collaboration is a superior way of delivering effective instruction; in the end, you will have to give it a try to see if it works for you. We suggest you seek support from your administration. This might be a department chairperson, grade level team leader, or principal. Letting others know you are working with colleagues outside the school community opens opportunities for others to support your efforts. We recommend that you have a plan before you begin the actual teaching. While our work did not move along a linear path, we at least knew where we were headed before we started working with students together. We believe that our agreement to be honest with each other from the beginning allowed us to truly collaborate, not simply teach at the same time with the same students. This honesty allowed us to question each other, share resources, and take risks. We also recommend that the classroom teacher should choose to focus on your toughest students. That is where you need the most support and encouragement, anyway.
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